This is a discussion on Best way to handle tilt? within the online poker forums, in the Cash Games section; What are your methods of avoiding tilt or playing while on tilt and pushing through those awful times?

What are your methods of avoiding tilt or playing while on tilt and pushing through those awful times?

#2

9th February 2013, 1:43 AM

Jblocher1 [2,185]

Online Poker at: Americas Car

Game: Holdem

Just remember that the game will always be there tomorrow. And tomorrow is a new day. If you feel your concentration lapse during a Game due to a bad beat. IT IS TIME TO GET OUT OF THE GAME. Trust me on this one

#3

9th February 2013, 4:08 AM

Aces2w1n [4,452]

Poker at: Pokerstars

Game: holdem

Well i'm starting at low stakes until i'm over the bump then i'll push forward again at full swing .. thanks yeah i tend to not rebuy in a game after a bad beat and just walk out of the casino no questions asked but analayze my game as i drive home

#4

9th February 2013, 6:21 AM

John A [4,096]

Make sure you're in a good state of mind BEFORE you even play is super important. Clearing yourself and being present. An article I wrote a while back on this:

I'm sure you've heard a lot of people talk about not letting the past effect your future decisions, but realistically, this is going to happen quite a bit. You take a bad beat, get frustrated, and
then get involved in the very next pot, when you should have been "insta-mucking" your hand to begin with.

Some of us are much better about controlling our emotions and ego at the table, but most of us, no matter how good we are at this, could make dramatic improvements in learning how to re-center ourselves, and be FULLY in the moment. The reality is, the days events, the current bad beat you took, the horrible fight you had with your partner, the cat you ran over on the way to the casino, are all going to effect every decision you make at the table. And, as all of you should fully understand, playing the most profitable poker you can play, has to do with making the BEST decision possible as consistently as possible over a long period of time.

So, consequently, your current state of mind when you sit down at the table, is a crucial factor in determining how successful you can really be at poker. This is poker at an even higher level, this is the game you'll be playing against yourself your entire life. It should make a lot of sense then, that not only do you have to learn how to play against an array of different personality types on the felt, but you have to learn how to play against your ego, while balancing your emotional state.

There are really two important concepts to getting yourself in an ideal state where you can be fully present in the moment:

1) Determining your current state of mind, and how recent past events may be effecting you, and
2) Letting go of all of those past events, and focusing in with laser like precision at only the current decision at hand.

I recommend that you create a personal "ritual" for yourself before you decide to play a game of poker. You don't have to light candles, burn incense, and chant to the holy mother cow. It's just a matter of creating a repetitious set of actions that will prepare your mind to let go of the past, and focus on the current task at hand. It can be as simple as saying one sentence to yourself, such as, "I'm ready to play poker, so I'm going to let everything else go, center myself, and focus my mind to play the best poker I can play". Something that simple, can make a HUGE difference in every session you play. Don't believe me, good! I didn't want you to believe me, I wanted you to try it!

If you've noticed one thing about professional sports, you should be able to notice who the truly great players are in any individual sport. They are deemed great, not only because they perform extremely well, but also because they can do this very consistently. A lot of professional athletes talk about "being in the bubble", where there's no crowd, no winning, no losing, but instead just the pure action they are doing. Meaning there is no weight put into whether they score a goal, make
that basket, or catch that improbable throw for a touchdown. It's "merely" the action, and only the action.

This is the second part of being in the moment. If you're involved in a pot in poker, and you begin to think about winning the hand, losing the hand, losing the money that's already in the pot, then you've already begun to lose the hand. Don't worry about what you invested into the pot in the PAST, don't concern yourself with victory, focus in and analyze all of the available information, and make the best decision possible. The more consistently you can do this, the more your poker bankroll is going to grow.

#5

9th February 2013, 7:01 AM

runnerx289 [167]

Poker at: Full Tilt

Game: NLH HU cash

Tilt is caused when your expectations clash with reality, as long as you understand odds and variance you should be alright. So just keep that in mind next time you get sucked out on.

I ususlly will just get up and walk away from the table for a few minutes and vent. walk it off type ..
if that doesn't work then I have no choice but to get over it. it is hard in a tournament ive,because you cant ome back tommorrow. you just have to step outide the card room get some fresh air,smoke a cig,
and hopefully regain yourself, i alo like calming teas,and such things, if you are opposed to say xanax or valium lol.

#7

9th February 2013, 7:45 PM

T-Dubs82 [1,289]

Poker at: Bovada

Game: HORSE

re: Poker & Best way to handle tilt?

i stwp away from the table, pack it up, and watch some workaholics

#8

10th February 2013, 5:57 AM

Rappyness [289]

Online Poker at: CarbonPoker

Game: Holdem

I just close the poker program and go back at it the next day. I just find something else to do to keep my mind away to what just happen!

#9

10th February 2013, 6:02 AM

Sephiroth [156]

Poker at: Carbon Poker

Game: most games

Ya you have to walk away

#10

10th February 2013, 5:56 PM

bezobrazny [1,141]

Online Poker at: pokerstars

Game: holdem

Depends, cash or tournament game

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aces2w1n

What are your methods of avoiding tilt or playing while on tilt and pushing through those awful times?

I am easily infected with TILTbacilus, if I am on the cash game I use to stop playing for a while, take something to snack and recover. If I am on the tournament I have to continue playing but then I am using 123 pattern and trying to play strictly by the book for a while and get recover.

#11

10th February 2013, 6:03 PM

pifan [3,184]

Poker at: full tilt

Game: holdem

I find the best way to handle Tilt is to have extra Monitors and Mice laying around.

#12

10th February 2013, 6:52 PM

starting_at_the_bottom [2,190]

Well, if you use correct BRM the money lost shouldnt be a huge issue, as annoying as losing to a 3 outer (or whatever) hurts.

Perhaps read through the hand history, check if you played the hand ok. If you were unlucky, consider the villains play.

If they were justified getting it in. for example 2 pair vs your set and they filled up to a better full house on the river then thats just a cooler simple as. However if they stacked off with a terrible call/shove and got lucky, just be happy these people are playing - long term they will pay you off.

In terms of actually cooling off if you are steaming, log off if you need to, i find fresh air is the best at clearing my head.

#13

10th February 2013, 9:32 PM

imboosted [69]

Poker at: Black Chip

Game: Hold em

Jam out on the ipod for a few songs or watch a TV show. I have all the seasons of the big bang theory on my ipad and ill start one of those. shit cracks me up and can get my mind off of it

#14

10th February 2013, 9:35 PM

Kahntrutahn [200]

Game: LHE-PLO-L08

re: Poker & Best way to handle tilt?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aces2w1n

What are your methods of avoiding tilt or playing while on tilt and pushing through those awful times?

All of these things, and many more, contribute to happier state of mind and more ease when dealing with stress... better regulation of hormones, blood sugar, etc.

Many ways to approach the problem after the fact, but many people overlook prevention

#15

10th February 2013, 9:36 PM

JusSumguy [4,272]

Just get a dog and kick it.

-

#16

11th February 2013, 8:19 AM

Aces2w1n [4,452]

Online Poker at: Pokerstars

Game: holdem

kicking the dog it is! ... i'm kidding
Thanks i think just spending time away from poker is the key but it feels like time wasted where i could be gaining towards my goal.

I guess when i have a few great winning streaks my individual goals exceed higher than reality lets me... I guess we all dream to be a poker pro... When i win a lot i guess i expect to keep up that rate but i really can't expect to.

Thanks for all your replies and i'm not going to be worrying about success rates or anything now... Just focus in the moment of the hand and make the right decisions.
I god piZZed off as well bad beat live... and i had two terrific days on wed/thurs with $100 $170 earnings to pretty much lose that and more on the weekend. argh fustrating ... i got ahead of myself and tried to take my game even higher but my present game hurt for it...

#17

11th February 2013, 9:10 AM

starting_at_the_bottom [2,190]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aces2w1n

and i had two terrific days on wed/thurs with $100 $170 earnings to pretty much lose that and more on the weekend. argh fustrating ... i got ahead of myself and tried to take my game even higher but my present game hurt for it...

How much money did you start with and what stakes do you play?

I think we might have found the cause.

#18

11th February 2013, 9:28 AM

masondub [609]

Game: NLHE

Walk away from the table! sometimes you are just running so bad and there is nothing you can do about it. I have found that if you dont walk away you will just get bankrolled, at least thats what happens to me sometimes lol x D

#19

12th February 2013, 3:19 AM

blueskies [1,831]

Poker at: Carbon

Game: NL holdem

The only sure way is to stop playing for as long as you need.

#20

12th February 2013, 6:47 AM

Aces2w1n [4,452]

Online Poker at: Pokerstars

Game: holdem

Well my problem i guess could be that not all my bankroll is online. So i play with only portions of it..
I started with 100 online and got up to 370... i was sneeking in higher stakes to try and cheat my way up... and found myself really just cheating myself..
I have 1500 BR from live.. .and i've only put in money online twice. Still have 20 in my account now but the damage is done...

I saw i was making 100+ a day at one point and i got excited... How much do you think i'd need in my online BR and what stakes to make $100 in a 4hrs sitting?

While i'm waiting for this i'll be at 1c2c trying to gather a few buyins and turn it around. I seem to have some extra ability to work hard to recover or maybe its just the opposite side of the downswing but the damage is done already.

#21

12th February 2013, 10:13 AM

Aces2w1n [4,452]

Poker at: Pokerstars

Game: holdem

re: Poker & Best way to handle tilt?

starting at the bottom? what is the recommendation for 6nl 10nl 20nl 30nl ?

Bankroll i mean... Also how much difference does it make if you multi up to 6 tables?

#22

12th February 2013, 11:21 AM

micromachine [5,618]

Online Poker at: Pokerstars

Game: Cash, MTTs

A common bankroll strategy, which works if you are disciplined, is to move up to the next level when you have 25 buy-ins for it and move back down if you drop below 20 buy-ins.

#23

12th February 2013, 9:20 PM

starting_at_the_bottom [2,190]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aces2w1n

starting at the bottom? what is the recommendation for 6nl 10nl 20nl 30nl ?

Bankroll i mean... Also how much difference does it make if you multi up to 6 tables?

I started with £25 early December, I have been playing £4nl and plan to move up to 10nl at just over £500. But want to give myself a real firm base to work from.

I would say perhaps 45buy ins for no limit cash is reasonable, then move down if you drop under 40.

I appreciate that following this logic i should have deposited £180 to play £4nl, but I just started with £25 and went from there. If you are playing the smallest stake then just deposit an amount you are comfortable with, but dont move up under-rolled.

So
6nl = 240
10nl = 400
20nl = 800
30nl = 1200

If you are playing heads up I would say a few more buy ins are advisable.

Multitabling doesn't make a difference.

#24

13th February 2013, 7:15 AM

Aces2w1n [4,452]

Online Poker at: Pokerstars

Game: holdem

Alright i'll be most likely depositing between 100 to 200 next... unless i recover my bankroll which is alwyas possible... 1c2c anything can happen at that level

#25

13th February 2013, 7:18 AM

Aces2w1n [4,452]

Poker at: Pokerstars

Game: holdem

I think my plane will be 1 table next deposit and stop multi... i've been trying to work on multi tabling but its a definate leak in my game but i guess you gotta get use to playing 6 tables... I feel i'm improving slowly, but when i hit tilt i'm calling 3bets with AJ A10 and find myself easily dominated.
And i have lost a lot to TPTK as well ARGH!
2 pair and someone ends up flopping straight or a set argh!
This is online ofc.. i seem to get tilt online but it doesn't pass onto live thank god... I have money still coming in good with my live game and tend to double up every 2-4hrs quite easily from my 200 buyin...

My goal is to be a pro player and i'm giving it a full crack, i know i've lost a bit of discipline with BR but i'm also been testing the waters to see how i go higher levels... I read that you should play on the stakes that you respect and don't think its loose change as well. Even though i lost 2 huge buyins at 50c 1$ ... i also won at that level as well quite good .. i think i can play at that level with a bigger bankroll hmmm Decision is whether to put 1000 in my online account to jump up to 20nl .. but atm it feels the money i deposit online is lost money... I have a more structured and protected plan live... i take 200 if i lose i go home and come back in a weeks time. Eventually i need to go twice a week and see if i can keep up the 8/10 buyin win rate which could help me with my 10k goal... i'm sitting at 1300 for the year even tho i lost twice live this yr and well i deposited 100 last time from live money, which i got to 370... but now i'm down around 50 due to pushing my luck because i tried winning a few higher end buy-ins to take shortcuts. couldve worked if i left it at 370 and played at 10nl 1 table but yeh.... just learn from it i have to and suck in all that experience gained to make it worth while.

I've learnt one thing from this and i found that i've been way too much goal orientated and i should be more just focusing on the right decisions to make which should naturally grow my bankroll... i know the right moves i know the right folds... I just need to breathe suck it up and dig deep and do what i was born to do... And thats to win this game and make a dent... Patience and all in good time is what i need to rememeber and do it smartly and wise. And thats where this forum comes in, hopefully i can get the help i need to get me over the line.

#26

13th February 2013, 10:05 AM

starting_at_the_bottom [2,190]

"I read that you should play on the stakes that you respect and don't think its loose change as well."

Disagree, strongly

Play at the stakes you are rolled for and feel comfortable at, and it helps if you can beat them too.

If you are happy to put down 1k into your poker account then go for it, I just wanted to start low and get a feel for poker again as I had not played 6max for ages.

#27

13th February 2013, 10:30 AM

cloverlines [75]

Poker at: All rooms

Game: Holdem

If I get tilted during a tournament..I will just tighten up and not try to get too impulsive. The best ways to distract me from being tilted are: walking, smoking, reading, music, sports, and sex. Pretty much anything works just gotta take a break and rebuild your mind.

#28

13th February 2013, 12:35 PM

Aces2w1n [4,452]

Online Poker at: Pokerstars

Game: holdem

re: Poker & Best way to handle tilt?

well i just made 8 dollars at 1c 2c for 3 hrs ... quite happy with that effort.. just expecting to win small by making the right decisions and should creep up nicely, i do move fast when im playing my best.

#29

15th February 2013, 3:04 PM

Aces2w1n [4,452]

Poker at: Pokerstars

Game: holdem

Okay so i go to the casino with my 200 ... couple hands im down to 50 thinking argh!... got stung with trip kings against trip aces.
3 hrs later walk out with 1000

#30

15th February 2013, 3:58 PM

patje356 [12]

you did a well job at the casino then i think i gone it try it to and hope i got the same luck as you :P

#31

15th February 2013, 4:46 PM

kmbpoker [226]

Poker at: carbonpoker

Game: O8

i always take a walk after a bad beat. live or on line. take whatever time i need to remind myself about the nature of the game , remind myself the guy who beat me is an allright guy no need to hate him, and try to think of a good joke so every1 can see that i was not fazed by the beat and resume taking their chips, if the moon aint to outa wack that is.

#32

15th February 2013, 4:51 PM

RiverMeTimbers [172]

Online Poker at: Bovada

Game: holdem

Quote:

Originally Posted by left52side

I ususlly will just get up and walk away from the table for a few minutes and vent. walk it off type ..
if that doesn't work then I have no choice but to get over it. it is hard in a tournament ive,because you cant ome back tommorrow. you just have to step outide the card room get some fresh air,smoke a cig,
and hopefully regain yourself, i alo like calming teas,and such things, if you are opposed to say xanax or valium lol.

yeah or smoke a bowl/Adderall/or if your in Vegas a prostitute. haha jk

#33

15th February 2013, 9:28 PM

Aces2w1n [4,452]

Poker at: Pokerstars

Game: holdem

patje when does it become not luck and skill? I'm actually right on the path of making 10k for the year if i continue this win/loss live from one night a week of live poker.
I just need to fix a couple things with my online and i'll dominate there as well, it's only time and mainly discipline. I have discipline live and a well structured plan. Just need to make a successful one for online

Wife said to me she thinks i have a problem cuz i had to play poker .... Pfft i told her once a week and the goal, and she'll be the first one to want to spend the money... Go figure, who thought that the table was the easy part but people around me being the hard part. I need to actually play more nights live with this win/loss rate and see if i can keep it up but it's tough with wife and kids... i still fear one day i'll have to tell my wife to backoff and dont make me make a decision i dont want to make/

#34

16th February 2013, 7:16 AM

ebh [3]

Online Poker at: Bovada

Game: Holdem,Omaha

I go for a quick run. Turn on some medicating music. Play some Battlefield. Then go right back to grinding if I'm back in the right state of mind.

#35

16th February 2013, 5:52 PM

needaGF [202]

Poker at: Bovada

Game: holdem

re: Poker & Best way to handle tilt?

Is it a cash game or tourney? If in a cash game when you find yourself on tilt and play a lot of hands out of your range, you should just stop and think about stopping here would save u a lot of chips. If it is a tourney you should play tight for a little while and calm yourself down.